Elmhurst, Illinois
ELMHURST - Just as the young artist Michelangelo looked at a solid block of marble and envisioned the figure of David, faithful must be artisans of peace and envision peace, according to retired Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, Mich., who spoke prior to a Lenten reconciliation service April 3 at Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Elmhurst.
Bishop Gumbleton, who recently retired as auxiliary bishop of Detroit, is an internationally known peacemaker who serves with the United Nations' World Conference on Religion and Peace and is founder of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace organization.
"As artisans of peace we need a vision, a dream of how peace can happen and then work on making it happen," Bishop Gumbleton told the approximately 200 people who gathered to hear him speak and receive the sacrament of reconciliation during Holy Week. "If we talk about peace, we always have to talk about injustice and the only way to instill peace is to build it on a pillar of love and a pillar of justice."
Peace, according to Bishop Gumbleton, is a topic discussed by people around the world, many of whom he quoted during his talk. He said Pope John Paul II spoke in Spain only weeks before his death, telling the people that what he wanted more than anything was world peace. The pope also stressed his beliefs in an encyclical letter in 1991 following the end of the Persian Gulf war urging, "Never again war! We have to say no to war." This was a cry he repeated from Pope Paul VI who, when speaking to the United Nations in 1965, pleaded and cried out, "No to war! Never again war!"
Pope John Paul II presented three compelling reasons why wars should cease.
"First, war destroys the lives of innocent people," Bishop Gumbleton told the congregation. "Modern warfare is total war. Today war is about destroying a whole nation. I have been to Iraq nine times. Every family in Iraq has lost a family member or had some family member injured.
"Second, war throws upheaval into the lives of those who do the killing, and third, war always leaves behind a trail of hatred and resentment and makes it more difficult to resolve the problems that began the war."
He went on to say that today's wars can wipe out everything in the blink of an eye.
He told the story of how international author Arundhati Roy of India described the terrifying realization she made when she found out her country had created an atomic bomb, something she called "evil." She also said nuclear weapons are anti-national, anti- democratic and anti-human, according to the bishop.
"The nuclear bomb is our way of saying we can destroy everything that God has made," Bishop Gumbleton asserted. "It took 46,000 million years for the world to develop to where we are and it can all be over in an afternoon. We will destroy everything God has made."
President John F. Kennedy also realized the devastation of nuclear war, the bishop recalled. When he learned of the capabilities of the United States nuclear arsenal he was overwhelmed.
"We call ourselves human and yet we would do this," Bishop Gumbleton quoted President Kennedy speaking about annihilating another country. "If we don't end war, war will end us."
Bishop Gumbleton quoted John Kavanaugh, a columnist for America, a national Catholic weekly magazine, who wrote of the millions of Iraqi refugees: "the hopeless ache, stifled cry and festering hatred of almost every Iraqi and the possibility that suicidal retaliation will reach far into the future. The whole Middle East can go up in an explosive of violence."
The retired bishop, who remains active as a voice for peace, shared advice from Pope John Paul II: "Respond to violence and hatred with the fascinating power of love and be artisans of peace," the pope told a group of youth in 2004. Pope Benedict XVI is following the same direction of Pope John Paul II, according to Bishop Gumbleton.
"We need to say 'No' to war, but that isn't enough," the bishop continued. "We need to say 'Yes' to Jesus. We need to allow ourselves to be dramatically changed so that we see and hear Jesus. We must begin to be converted to the way of Jesus deeply in our hearts and open ourselves to Jesus.
"We need to be converted to the way of Jesus, trying to watch as Jesus responds to hatred and violence. Remember when Peter denied Jesus? He was disrespecting Jesus and Jesus looked into Peter's eyes and gave him a look of love and forgiveness. In the garden when he was betrayed with a kiss, Jesus embraces Judas and forgives and loves him. We can become real peacemakers by using love to overcome terror and violence."
Reprinted with permission from The Catholic Explorer Newspaper for the Diocese of Joliet
A Vocation View
On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, pray for
yourself. Pray to know if God is calling YOU to be a priest,
deacon, sister or bother. Pray!
Parish News
PRESCHOOL Director/Teacher
We believe you are out there! We are looking for a pre-
school director/teacher who will help us build a premiere
preschool for the western suburbs. This preschool is a ministry
of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, a lively, welcoming, family-
oriented Catholic community in Elmhurst. Our director must be a
practicing Roman Catholic in good standing. This position is for
a part-time director and part-time teacher.
Requirements for candidates applying for this position are:
* Baccalaureate degree with 04 (IL) early childhood teacher
certification.
* Master's degree in early childhood or related field
preferred.
* 2-3 years' teaching experience.
* Familiarity with Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence
theory.
* Enthusiasm for curriculum and program development and
implementation.
* Commitment to working collaboratively with staff members
and parents within a church community setting.
Enrollment has already begun for our play-based preschool,
which will have a multiple intelligence curriculum following
Howard Gardner's guidelines. Please send your resume' to: Search
Committee, Mary Queen of Heaven, 426 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL
60126. Interviews will be conducted in April and early May,
start date in July. Come enjoy a very pleasant working
environment with wonderful parish staff, and have the opportunity
to create new things!
MQH Preschool Registration
Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool registration continues! Please
see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and contact the parish
office for more information and registration.
Preschool tours scheduled on request.
If you have any questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Confirmation Candidate Parents:
Please note that Confirmation will be celebrated in the
parish on Saturday, May 12, at 5 p.m.
Religious Education News
Registrations for the 2007-2008 RE year have been mailed.
If you did not receive yours or if you know someone who would
like one, please call the REO. We ask that you return your
registration forms ASAP in order to secure your first choice of
session.
Reminder to Parents of First Communicants: If your child is
celebrating with the large group on May 5, there is still time to
place your order for a video of the Liturgy. Please turn your
forms in to the RE office.
Are you being called to be a catechist? We only have a
short time left of this RE year, so if you have always wondered
what goes on in the building after you drop your children off,
this is the perfect time to stop by and say hi. Remember you
don't have to be a theologian; you just have to love children,
love your faith and want to share it. We are looking forward to
hearing from you.
Mark your calendar:
Sunday, April 29 - Family Mass at 10:30 a.m. & Small
Group First Communion
Tuesday, May 8 - Confirmation Practice at 6:30 p.m. to
8:30 a.m. in church
Wednesday, May 9 - Catechist Appreciation Dinner at
7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall
Christian Education Commission
Prayer Requests
To pray for our sick is an important privilege of our parish
family. We hope that you will pray for these persons every day.
Natalie Baker Pam Bondfide
Pat Caffarelli Rose Caffarelli
Kathy Calzante Cosmore Ciancio
Dennis Ciancio Geroge Cibula
Paul Cirone Ida Corriedo
Cynthia Catalano Family Deacon Bob Delbeke
Trudi Dolato Baby Dobrowolski
Virginia Feret Kathy Filipiak
Cecilia Garstki Mary Goggins
Mary Hagerty Anna Heffel
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Michelle Humann Maureen James
Kathy Johnston Irene Kmieciak
Bernadette Kohn Anne Kostas
John Larkin Baby Emma Lynde
Marie Mangano Robert Manion
Dennis McCabe Mary Piszczor
Raymond Mitchell Fred Moss
Mary Sabel Oye Geri Pstrzoch
Baby Faith Reid Robert Restivo
Vera Rossiano Agnes Sabel
Patricia Sabel Joaquina Scroppo
Jess Smith Mary Spierowski
Rachael Thompson John Unger
Community News
Day of Prayer on the San Damiano Cross
With Fr. Benet Fonck. OFM
Thursday, May 3, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
At The Warrenville Cenacle
A Franciscan Friar, Fr. Fonck is the coordinator of
communications for Sacred Heart Province of the Order of Friars
Minor (Franciscans). In this capacity he writes a weekly
newsletter, prepares news releases and publishes a quarterly
journal. He has given retreats, workshops and seminars for
Secular Franciscans and for Franciscan religious. He has also
presented days of recollection to various church-based groups and
has facilitated a number of parish missions and renewals. The
offering for this program is $50 and includes lunch. For further
information or to register, please call 630-393-1231
2 0 0 7
"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least
brothers of mine, you did for me."
Mt 25:40
This is Pledge Weekend for the 2007 Catholic Ministries
Annual Appeal. Your support helps the Diocese of Joliet provide
schools, social services, and spiritual sustenance to people of
all faiths. Please give prayerful thought to your gift and be as
generous as you feel able.
Diocesan News
Catholic Charities is in need of
new born/infant clothing, diapers, and newborn
"care packages"
Last year, Children's Services of Catholic Charities,
provided loving care for 398 children in foster care, many of
whom needed long-term, specialized therapy to heal from the abuse
and neglect they have suffered. Our maternity services helped
mothers with keeping and raising or finding an adoptive home for
15 of their infants.
In order to continue providing these services Catholic
Charities needs your help. One way you can help is by conducting
clothing drives or "baby Showers" for new clothes and
newborn/infant "care packages" (wipes, lotion, powder, shampoo,
bibs, pacifiers, grooming sets, medical kits, newborn
developmental toys, diapers, etc.) for these babies.
You are in a unique position to dramatically impact the
first days of a baby's life or a child's first stay in their new
foster home by helping us replenish our supply of newborn, infant
and children's clothing for boys and girls sizes 0 to 3T. Please
do not donate used clothing, as we cannot use those. We will
accept any size clothing and diapers. For more information,
please contact Rose Bayr Maritato at 630-495-8008 x 33.
Saint Peregrine Feast Day Mass
Mass for the feast of St. Peregrine, the cancer saint will
be celebrated Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the National Shrine
of St. Peregrine, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Persons with
cancer and others seeking healing will be invited to come
individually for a blessing with a relic of St. Peregrine at the
conclusion of Mass.
Our Lady of Sorrows is located in Chicago at 3121 W.
Jackson Blvd., adjacent to I-290. There is ample, secure parking
at the rear of the Basilica. For more information, call 773-638-
5800, ext. 19.
Elmhurst Catholic M.O.M.S.
(Moms Offering Moms Support) is a social and spiritual
organization that provides an opportunity for mothers of young
children from Elmhurst Catholic parishes to meet other mothers.
Bi-monthly meetings include one morning mother/child activity and
an evening activity just for moms. There are no membership fees
and everyone is welcome. M.O.M.S has its meetings in Msgr.
Plunkett Hall, lower level of the Immaculate Conception chapel,
from 9:30 to 11:00 a. m., unless otherwise noted.
Elmhurst Catholic MOMS celebrates Motherhood on Thursday,
May 3. Come and enjoy a party thrown in your honor! It's EC MOMS
Mother's Day Party! Crafts and treats for your little ones, but
also something special for the moms. You deserve it!
Next Bible Study - Psalms
Our next study will be Psalms. These psalms are the same songs
of faith that we use every Mass in the "Responsorial" portion of
the Mass. Learn how our Hebrew ancestors in faith used these
prayers. Sign up will be next weekend, May 5-6 and the following
weekend, May 12-13.
We will begin the week of May 21, 2007 and conclude the
week of July 9, 2007, skipping the week of July 4. More
information will be coming after Easter but if you have any
questions or would like to volunteer to be a facilitator, please
call one of the committee people; Lynn Suwanski at 630-530-2523
or Alex and Marie Grozik at 630-530-0503.
CCW Mother's Day Tribute
The CCW Respect Life Committee is selling carnations this
weekend and next weekend to honor the nurturing women in our
lives (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, etc.). The
carnations will be placed at Mary's statue in the Gathering Area
on Mother's Day, May 13. Also, the names of all those being
honored will be published in our parish bulletin on May 12/13.
Order forms are available in the church vestibule and must
be returned no later than Sunday, May 6. Proceeds for the sale
will benefit Project Gabriel.
Eucharistic Adoration
Monday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Worship Commission would like to thank all who have been
able to come and spend some time with Our Lord during our days of
adoration, usually the first Monday of the month. This month we
reach our two-year anniversary since beginning this devotion. For
those who haven't had the opportunity, if there's anything you
need to thank or praise God for, to express sorrow for, or to ask
for, know that He waits for you to come and spend some time with
Him present in the monstrance at our Day of Eucharistic
Adoration. The day of adoration and prayer closes with
Benediction at 7:00 p.m. All are invited to join us any time
during the day as well as for Benediction. We are in need of
people to sign up for an hour of adoration. Please see the large
sign-up poster in the back of church.
The Worship Commission
Parish News
Help Wanted
We are in need of someone to schedule the Eucharistic
Ministers for Masses. It is really quite easy to do! Schedules
are done three times a year, covering four months at a time.
You do not need to be a Eucharistic Minister to volunteer.
If you are interested or have any questions, please call Karen
Vicary at 279-4108 or Mary Foley.
Bishop urges faithful to be 'artisans of
peace'
Bishop Gumbleton at Mary Queen of Heaven
By Kim Lovejoy-Voss
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Our 50th Anniversary Year closed last Sunday with a
beautiful liturgy celebrated by Bishop Roger Kaffer and a
reception in Barrett Hall where the Raffle Winning Tickets were
pulled. The Raffle Winners are:
First Prize Winner - $10,000 Moira Murray
Second Prize Winner - $2000 Paul Letourneau
Third Prize Winner - $1000 Laurie Burny
Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who supported the
Raffle. A total of 200 tickets were sold. Therefore, the gross
proceeds from the Raffle are $20,000 less $13,000 paid out in
prizes, leaving a net profit of $7000 which will be used to lower
the parish deficit. A special thank you to those who sold
tickets and who helped make our closing reception so great,
especially those who donated food and set-up and cleaned up.
Also, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful support and
help of those on the Committee who gave of their time and talent
this past year: Dick & Mary Ann Reed, Ellen Walker, Mary White,
Phylis Twardowski, Vi Sabel, Floria DiVito, Rose McVitti, Mary
Nanak, Karen Vicary and Cheryl DiSantis. Blessing and Thank You
to each of you! Sheila Reiter